Method of knitting an anti-ladder stitch course

ABSTRACT

Method of knitting run proof courses on multifeed circular knitting machines comprising dividing the needles one by one into two groups and forming loops of at least a single yarn on the needles of one group dial ribs in the space above the needles of the second group. The second group of needles during this step are withdrawn below the ribs. Thereafter loops are formed with at least a single yarn on the needles of the second group so that the yarn at least crosses over the loops of the first needles. Thereafter the ribs are withdrawn through the loops of the second needles and then all the loops are knocked off.

[4 1 Oct. 15,1974

METHOD OF KNITTING AN ANTI-LADDER STITCH COURSE 1 Inventors: Bohumil Kejnovsky; Jan Fikrle, both of Trebic; Antonin Hobza, Rokytnice nad Rokytnou, all of Czechoslovakia ELITEX, Zavody textilniho strojirenstvi, generalni reditelstvi, Liberec, Czechoslovakia Filed: June 1, 1972 Appl. No: 258,895

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data June 7, 1971 Czechoslovakia 4124-71 US. Cl 66/172 R, 66/169 A, 66/198 Int. Cl D04b 9/48 Field of Search 66/172 R, 169 A, 198, 95

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/l920 Miller 66/172 R Uhlir 7. 66/172 R Uhlir 66/172 R Primary Examiner-James Kee Chi Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Murray Schaffer [57] ABSTRACT Method of knitting run proof courses on multifeed circular knitting machines comprising dividing the me dles one by one into two groups and forming loops of at least a single yarn on the needles of one group dial ribs in the space above the needles of the second group. The second group of needles during this step are withdrawn below the ribs. Thereafter loops are formed with at least a single yarn on the needles of the second group so that the yarn at least crosses over the loops of the first needles. Thereafter the ribs are withdrawn through the loops of the second needles and then all the loops are knocked off.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PIJENIEB I SHEET 1 OF 2 P w p P METHOD OF KNITTING AN ANTI-LADDER STITCH COURSE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of knitting anti-run courses on a multi-feed circular knitting machine.

The methods presently used to knit anti-run or antiladder courses on circular knitting machines either require modification of the machine itself by the use of special needles or other loop forming means, or are characterized by resulting only in limited anti-run properties. One of the recent methods of forming anti-run courses is based on the principle of forming double loops which are secured against unravelling by being pulled through the loops of the last normally knit course. The double loops are further secured by underlaying another yarn forming still another loop in the adjacent wales. Another technique is also known which is similar to the preceding one with the difference that the anti-run loops are secured by additional yarn loops in the neighboring wales. V

The aforementioned methods are simple and effective. However, they have the disadvantage that specially modified sinkers are needed to form the loops. It was also necessary to introduce an extra yarn and guide in those feeds which form the anti-run course.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for knitting anti-run courses which overcomes the disadvantages and-defects of the prior art techmques.

LII

of needles, one which is laid freely while the other is looped with the loops of the needles of the first group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the first step of the development of the anti-run course showing yarn of a first feed looped on the needles of the first group of a l by 1 division and held on the associated dial ribs;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the first group of needles sunken, and the tuck looping of a second yarn feed system on the second group of needles;

FIG. 3 isanother view showing a third step of the development showing the further knitting in of yarns of third yarn feed system drawn in the needles;

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for forming anti-run courses on a multifeed circular knitting machine which does not require the use of special knitting instruments, or special modifications.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a novel method of knitting run-proof courses on hosiery which is simpler, more effective and faster than the prior art.

These objects, others and numerous advantages will be seen in the following disclosure of the present invention.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention a method of knitting anti-run loop courses in a multifeed circular knitting machine is provided comprising dividing the' needles one by one into two groups and forming on the needles of one group loops of at least a single yarn, wherein the yarn is held by auxiliary instruments such as dial ribs in the space above the needles of the second group. The second group of needles during this' step are withdrawn below the yarn held by the knitting instruments. Thereafter loops are formed with at least a.single second yarn on the needles of the second group, while maintaining the first yarn on the needles and knitting instruments. The second yarn is formed so at least to cross the loops formed on the first needles. Thereafter, the first yarn held on the knitting instruments are withdrawn through the loops of the second group of needles and all the loops are then knocked over, and

released. I v

Preferably the yarn of the second group is laid freely across the loops of the firstneedle, although it may be looped with the loops of the first needle. It may be advantageous to employ two yarns on the second group FIG. 4 is a similar view showing the successive draw ing of the yarns gripped'on the dial ribs;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the anti run course made in accordance with the method of FIGS. 1 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a modified form wherein the second yarn feed is omitted;

FIG. 7 is still another modified anti-run structure such as FIGS. 5 and 6 in which the second feed yarn is similar to that of the third feed system;

FIG. 8 shows another modification in which the third feed forms normal loops while a fourth yarn feed system is fed similarly to the preceding third feed; and

FIG. 9 is still another modification in which second and third feed systems knit similarly, and normal loops are formed on the first group needles and tuck loops are formed on the second group needles.

- DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The present invention is described in connection with a multifeed rotary needle cylinderand dial machine, the cylinder of which is provided with a plurality of Iongitudinal grooves or tucks in each of which knitting needles havingthe conventional latches are" movably arranged, while the dialis provided with a plurality of radial grooves iri'which knitting instruments such as dial ribs or needles are arranged to cooperate with the vertical'knitting needles. In the drawing the'knittin'g needles bear reference numeral 1 while the dial ribs bear reference numeral 2. The knitting machine comprises the usual cam system's, feed means, etc., each of the needles being provided with associated sinkers, selectors and jacks, and having butts by which they can be moved. The dial is provided'also with conventional control rings and earns. For the purposes of the present The method of the present invention is illustrated with the formation of an anti-run or unravelling course being applied to a knit piece such as a stocking or tubular garment having a pattern made by dividing the needles into a l by 1 ratio, providing two groups of needles 1, and 1 Preferably all eight feeds are employed to make the knitwork which comprises a plurality of loop courses. The anti-run course is applied upon finishing a predefined length of material from a yarn seen in the drawings by the numeral P. In forming this anti-run course, the finishing is performed by the first four feeds while the fifth feed serves to knock-off the knitwork from the needles.

Turning now to the drawings the invention can best be understood with reference to the sequential state of operation in each feed course during the continued operation of the machine in the finishing process.

First Feed:

As seen in FIG. 1 the first feed provides a yarn P, which makes normal loops on the elevated needles 1, of the first group, while needles 1, of the second group remain in their bottom or sunken position holding the loops of the yarn P, in wales between the needles 1,. Above the needles the dial ribs 2 are extended to hold the yarn P, fast and form loops in wales corresponding to the needles 1,. The loops P held on the needles 1, were of course formed by the preceding feed.

Second Feedz During this feed (FIG. 2) the needles 1, of the first group are extended only into the tuck position. Thus the yarn P, remains on the needle latch of these needles, and on the dial ribs 2. The second yarn P is fed to all the needles. In doing so it is loaded onto the latches of the needles 1, of the first group and is thereupon drawn in to form from the yarn P, tuck loops while theneedles 1, of the second group form normal loops from this second yarn P In forming the normal loops the yarn P, is drawn through the loops of yarn P made by the last normal loop course.

Third Feed:

As seen in FIG. 3, two yarns P, and P are laid during this feed stage. Needles 1, of the first group are extended into closing position and on their latches is laid only the yarn P Needles 1 of the second group are lifted into a position higher than the closing position and both yarns P and P are laid in their latches. Meanwhile the yarn P, laid in the first feed remains held on dial ribs 2. During further knitting of the course, all the needles I, and 1 are drawn in forming on needles 1, loops from yarn P,; the yarn P, falling in the course of the drawings in movement behind the needle shafts of the needles 1,. Yarn P, thus does not form loops but supports the loops of the yarn P made on needles 1,. On the other hand yarns P and P form double loops on the needles 1 2 of the second group.

Fourth Feed:

As seen in FIG. 4, the dial ribs 2 are extended in a manner similar to that in the formation of a double welt of a stocking, into the space corresponding to the tree dles l, of the second group. The needles 1, and 1 are simultaneously raised with their latches in closed position so that the old loops made in the third feed remain below the latches of these needles (on the far side as seen in the figure). The latches then open. The loops of the yarn P, are then transferred from the dial ribs 2, by moving the ribs 2 in a radially opposite direction to that of the arrow S, so that the yarn P, is above and enters into the latches of needles 1, which have then opened. Thereafter, the dial ribs 2 are moved in the direction of arrow 8' and the needles 1, of the second group are simultaneously drawn in or downward. This transfers the yarn P, to the latches of needles 1,. The needles 1, draw yarn P, through the previously made loopsof yarn P and P forming further loops of the yarn P,. The loops of yarn P, which are on the needles 1, are knocked over, by the downward and then upward movement of the needles 1,. In the event knitting is carried on to form succeeding knit courses, the needles 1, of the first group are not brought into closing position, in the fourth feed course, so that they hold their loops in the latches.

Fifth Feed:

Upon lifting and lowering the needles 1 in the second group the knitwork is knocked-over from the needles 1, of the second group. Thus, as seen in FIG. 5 the method produces an anti-ladder or anti-run course.

The steps just described are illustrative of the inventive process. Many modifications may be made. For example, by omitting the second feed stage and the knitting of the second yarn P while retaining the operation of the remaining feeds according to the preceding procedure, an anti-run course such as seen in FIG. 6 can be made. 1

Another possibility is shown in FIG. 7. Here the second feed is operated to knit the second yarn P, and a supplementary yarn P in the same manner as the third feed, of the procedure described earlier. Meanwhile, in the third feed only that part of loops of yarn P, and P, which are formed on needles 1, of the first group are constituted; no loops of yarn P, being formed on the needles 1,. The process may be further simplified by eliminating the'supplementary yarn P, altogether. The elimination of yarn P however reduces the resistance to unravelling and those loops which are not drawn through the loops previously made of yarn P, are not secured against ravelling. Nevertheless, even in this simplified method, the degree of anti-run characteristics is so considerable, in comparison to plain knitwork, that it is far superior. This may also be further enhanced by the formation of loops of differing length in the various knitwork courses.

A further modified version is seen in FIG. 8. Here the first two feeds perform the operation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 while the third feed forms normal loops of yarn P, only on both'the needles 1, and 1 Two yarns P, and P, are laid in the fourth feed so that double loops of yarn P, and P, are formed on needles 1, of the second group 'while only a single loop of yarn P, is laid on needles l, of the first group. The supplemental yarn P, is freelylaid across the loopon the needles 1, and secures it against unravelling. In the fifth feed loops of yarn'P, are drawn through the double loops of yarn P, and P, and loops of yarn P, are knocked over the needles 1, of the first group. On a subsequent feed, loops of yarn P, are knocked over from needles 1,, of the second group.

Still another procedure is seen in-FIG. 9. Normal loops are formed in the first feed. In the second feed normal loops of yarn P, on needles 1, of the first group, while on needles 1, of the second group tuck loops are formed wherein the main yarn P remaining on'the needles l constitute with yarn P, a double loop. In the third feed the same knitting operation is performed as in the second feed so that only yarn P is laid on the needles 1, of the first group while yarn P, P and P are laid on the needles 1 of the second group. In the fourth feed loops of yarn P, are drawn through tuck loops from yarns P, P and P while simultaneously loops from yarn P are knocked over from needles 1, of the first group. In a further feed, loops of yarn P, are knocked over from needles 1 of the second group.

From the foregoing it will be seen that broadly after the needles are divided one by one loops are formed of at least one yarn (P, or P, and P,,) on the needles 1, of one group while a portion of the yarn (P, or P, and P are held by the auxiliary knitting instrument or rib 2 in the space above the needles 1 of the second group which are withdrawn. Thereafter, loops are formed of at least one yarn (P P P P and P.,') on at least the needles 1, of the second group with this yarn at least passing or crossing the loops made on the needles of the first group. It may be preferred to employ two yarns for the second needles 1,, one yarn passing freely the other yarn forming loops also on the needle 1,. In the alternative a single yarn may pass freely or form loops on the needles 1, as well as on the needles 1,. After this the loops which are formed are knocked over, the yarn (P,, or P, and P held on the auxiliary knitting means 2 being first with drawn through the loops formed on the needles 1, of the second group over which the means 2 extend.

It is to be noted that in practicing the present invention it is possible to draw loops through a group of loops made on needles 1, of the second group, the

drawn loops having been located on the dial ribs 2, or even on other auxiliary knitting instruments and formed in the space of another group of needles other than those of needles 1,. It is also possible to draw two or more loops simultaneously through other loops. For example, yarns P, and P in this manner, according to the procedure of FIG. 8.

Since various modifications are possible, the present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative only and not limiting of the scope of the invention.

What is claimed:

l. The method of knitting anti-run loop courses in multifeed circular knitting machines comprising the steps of dividing the needles one by one into two groups, forming loops of at least a single first yarn on the needles of one group, holding said first yarn on auxiliary knitting instruments in the space above the me dles of the other group, the needles of the other group being withdrawn below said knitting instruments, forming loops of at leasta single second yarn on at least the needles of the other group while maintaining said first yarn on said auxiliary knitting instrument, said second yarn at'least crossing the loops formed on the needles of said one group, and thereafter knocking over the loops of each group, said first yarn held on said auxiliary knitting instrument being withdrawn through the loops formed on the needles of said second group prior to knock over.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherin the second yarn is laid freely across the loops of the needles of said one group.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the second yarn is laid to form normal loops on the needles of said one group.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of normal loop courses are laid prior to dividing the needles.

5. The method according to claim 1 whereinsaid second yarn comprises a pair of yarns one of which forms loops on the needles of said one and said other groups and the other of which forms loops on the needles of said other group and is laid freely across the loop of said one group.

I 6. The method according to claim '1 including laying a third yarn between the laying of said first and second yarns to form loops on the needles of said one group and the needles of the second group, while maintaining said first yarn on the auxiliary knitting instrument.

. 7; The method according to claim 1 including the step of laying at least a single fourth yarn between the laying of said second yarn and the knocking over of said loops, said fourth yarn forming loops on the needles of said other group, and at least crossing the loops formed on the needlesof said one group.

8. The method according to claim 1 including the step of reinforcing the loops formed by withdrawing the yarn held on the auxilliary knitting instruments with at least one tuck loop, the yarn forming said tuck loop forming normal loops on the adjacent needles. 

1. The method of knitting anti-run loop courses in multifeed circular knitting machines comprising the steps of dividing the needles one by one into two groups, forming loops of at least a single first yarn on the needles of one group, holding said first yarn on auxiliary knitting instruments in the space above the needles of the other group, the needles of the other group being withdrawn below said knitting instruments, forming loops of at least a single second yarn on at least the needles of the other group while maintaining said first yarn on said auxiliary knitting instrument, said second yarn at least crossing the loops formed on the needles of said one group, and thereafter knocking over the loops of each group, said first yarn held on said auxiliary knitting instrument being withdrawn through the loops formed on the needles of said second group prior to knock over.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherin the second yarn is laid freely across the loops of the needles of said one group.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the second yarn is laid to form normal loops on the needles of said one group.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of normal loop courses are laid prior to dividing the needles.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said second yarn comprises a pair of yarns one of which forms loops on the needles of said one and said other groups and the other of which forms loops on the needles of said other group and is laid freely across the loop of said one group.
 6. The method according to claim 1 including laying a third yarn between the laying of said first and second yarns to form loops on the needles of said one group and the needles of the second group, while maintaining said first yarn on the auxiliary knitting instrument.
 7. The method according to claim 1 including the step of laying at least a single fourth yarn between the laying of said second yarn and the knocking over of said loops, said fourth yarn forming loops on the needles of said other group, and at least crossing the loops formed on the needles of said one group.
 8. The method according to claim 1 including the step of reinforcing the loops formed by withdrawing the yarn held on the Auxilliary knitting instruments with at least one tuck loop, the yarn forming said tuck loop forming normal loops on the adjacent needles. 